User:Aapplin/All Saints Episcopal College (Vicksburg, Mississippi)

Founded by the Rt. Rev. Theodore DuBose Bratton, All Saints' Episcopal College opened its doors in 1909 as an educational institution for young women. In its 98 years of operation literally thousands of students were influenced by the ministry. All Saint's Episcopal School closed its doors at the end of the 2005-2006 academic year.

History
The original vision was that of William Mercer Green, first Episcopal Bishop of Mississippi (1850 to 1887). Bishop Green established several diocesan schools in Mississippi. There was a plan to establish a school for girls in 1860, but the civil war put the plan on hold.

In 1905 the Diocesan Council resolved that a school for girls would be established as soon as it was practical. Several cities vied to be the school site, but Vicksburg's citizens donated 25 acres of land and offered a gift of $34,500. The site high on a hill overlooking the city was everything that they wanted for the school.

All Saints' Episcopal College was chartered on August 26, 1907. The first building on campus was designed by DeBuys, Churchill and Labouisse of New Orleans and built by I.C. Garber of Jackson. The cornerstone was laid with Masonic honors on November 1 (All Souls Day) 1908, and the school opened its doors to the initial 50 students on September 16, 1909.

This oldest building was named for Bishop Green. Green Hall is 230 feet long and 40 feet wide and has four floors. This building has housed the dining hall, library, administrative offices, classrooms, the infirmary and a dormitory.

Years as a College
From the beginning, All Saints' included a high school. In addition to science, mathematics and English, students could take 4 years of Latin, as well as courses in Greek, French, Spanish, and German. The College courses covered mathematics, history, English, science, Latin, French, Spanish, German, Greek, Italian, Bible, and Ethics. The school year consisted of 2 terms of 18 weeks each.

There were daily services in the chapel on campus, and Sunday services could be attended at any local church of the student's choice with a proper chaperon.

In the second school year, two intermediate years were added. Grades for 1910-1911 were 7 - 12 plus the college courses.

In 1911 Wellesley Smith, Agnes Scott, Sophie Newcomb, Randolph Macon and Vassar all spoke well of students accepted into their programs from All Saints. The high school was accredited this year and the a fore mentioned colleges accepted all college credits point by point.

In 1925 construction began on a dormitory that would become Johnson Hall in honor of Mrs. J. W. Johnson who gave the money for its construction. Another new tradition started when the intramural basketball team was divided into two groups: The Swamp Angels and the Knockouts. The teams would later be the Angels and the Devils and would divide the entire student body into two competitive teams.

In 1942 Fr. Christian got the idea that All Saints' should belong to Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. The board of trustees was adjusted to reflect members from the three dioceses.

Years as a High School
The board voted to go co-educational in 1968.

Charlene Eichelberger "Miss Ike" was hired in 1968 to head the Rec Department. She remained with the school until 1992 and returned briefly in 2006-2007 to oversee the cleaning of the campus, buildings, and grounds until AmeriCorps could utilize part of the campus for its programs. Miss Ike is credited with bringing national recognition of the Rec Program to All Saints' and she lived on campus throughout her tenure.

Fr. Dickson's son, Charlie, also worked many years, along with his wife Cassie until the school closed in 2006. He was unable to attend All Saints' as it was still an all girls school when Fr. Dickson became Headmaster in 1968.

The school utilized the Level System (Levels 1-4 which dictated a student's privileges) rather than retaining the honor code from 1970 until 2002 at which time the Honor Code was introduced. In 2002, the campus went smoke free.

In 2003, the board voted to close the school but temporary financing and tremendous alumni support averted the close until 2006 when the board voted to close the school permanently.

Leadership

 * 1909 - 1911 The Rev. William Mercer Green, Jr., Dean
 * 1911 - 1912 Dr. Thomas Pearce Bailey, Dean
 * 1912 - 1937 The Rt. Rev. Theodore DuBose Bratton, President
 * 1937 - 1958 The Rev. William Gerow Christian, Rector
 * 1958 - 1961 The Rev. John Maury Allin, Rector
 * 1962 - 1967 The Rev. John Stone Jenkins, Rector
 * 1967 - 1968 The Rev. A Dean Calcote, Acting Rector
 * 1968 - 1983 The Rev. Alex Dickson, Jr., Rector and Headmaster
 * 1983 - 1999 The Rev. David Luckett, Rector and Headmaster
 * 2000 - 2001 Charles Craft, Interim Head
 * 2001 - 2006 The Rev. Martin, Rector and Head

Ministry
(1) For all the Saints (1984) Mary Ellen Turner